Apple’s camera-equipped AirPods are still expected to launch in 2027, despite a leaked demo clip that set off fresh speculation about an earlier release. Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the AI-focused wearable is not included in Apple’s 2026 product schedule.
Launch timeline pushed back by a year
According to the report, Apple had already advanced development of the camera-equipped AirPods in early 2026 and began internal employee testing this spring. The original plan was to introduce the product in 2026. But when Apple tried to move into mass-production preparations during the summer, it ran into problems with both supply-chain component readiness and software integration, forcing the company to delay the launch by one year.
The new AirPods are expected to incorporate Apple’s Visual Intelligence features. Built-in cameras would scan and interpret the user’s surroundings in real time, supplying contextual data to Siri and other AI tools. People familiar with internal progress, who asked not to be named, said the technical issues are still being worked through, though Apple remains confident about a 2027 launch target.
Leaked developer build triggered early-release talk
Earlier this week, an Apple Mac software test update for developers accidentally included internal materials tied to several unreleased products. Among them was a demonstration video showing the new AirPods taking photos. The materials spread quickly online.
Because the leak surfaced just ahead of Apple’s September iPhone launch event, it prompted outside speculation that the product might appear ahead of schedule. Sources cited in the report explicitly denied that scenario.
Privacy concerns have emerged
News of earbuds with cameras quickly raised privacy concerns. Some users said they were uneasy about the possibility that the earbuds could record or capture images without other people knowing. Some online critics also mocked the device with the label “pervertpods.”
People familiar with the matter said the AirPods use a low-resolution sensor, and that the hardware is not primarily meant for photography or video recording. Instead, its main job is to sense the surrounding environment and send contextual information back to Apple’s AI systems. The report added that Apple has long treated privacy protection as a core part of its brand positioning and is trying to avoid the kind of backlash that followed Meta smart glasses after launch.
Two versions are under development
Apple is said to be developing two versions in parallel, though it is still unclear which one will ultimately remain.
- B790: a revision based on last year’s AirPods Pro 3, adding camera sensors and AI functions. It had originally been on the 2026 roadmap.
- B798: a completely new-generation AirPods Pro with cameras, representing a deeper redesign.
Part of a much larger 2027 product wave
If the camera-equipped AirPods arrive on schedule in 2027, the report said that year could become Apple’s most concentrated product rollout on record. Products expected to appear the same year include Apple’s first smart glasses, its first foldable iPhone, a smart home display paired with an AI-enhanced Siri, a neck-worn or clip-on AI camera pendant, a smart home security camera, an advanced smart display with a robotic arm, Apple’s first touchscreen MacBook, a new Apple TV set-top box, an updated HomePod mini, and several Macs with faster processors alongside new iPads.
The release cycle is expected to stretch from autumn 2026 through the end of 2027. For John Ternus, who is set to become Apple’s next chief executive, that lineup is expected to form the centerpiece of the first holiday shopping season under his leadership.